Loyalty and Mischief (WIP)

Chapter 45 - Down an unknown road to embrace my fate

The ruler of the Underworld appeared as imposing and formidable as Loki had expected Hades to be. He stood straight, showing his full size — which was taller than Thor, Loki believed — and broad chest. One shoulder was bare, while the other supported an obsidian clap holding together his dark-grey tunic. Unlike with the other Olympians Loki had encountered before, Hades' clothes touched the floor, the blue-ish mist around him appearing almost like tendrils. 
As she met Hades' observant dark gaze, Loki perfectly understood why Persephone would have chosen to remain in the Underworld. There was something about those black eyes, those pale features, both sharp and soft, and that neatly trimmed beard and ash-brown hair that drew her in. Many feared Hades, and rightly so. Yet Loki couldn't help but be enthralled. 

"Lady Loki," spoke Hades, his voice deep and gentler than when he'd addressed Hermes, "a pleasure and an honour."

"The honour is mine, Kyrios Hades." Loki dipped into a curtsey, inclining her head just enough out of respect, yet still maintaining eye contact through her lashes. "I thank you for welcoming me at your gates in person."

"Of course. I'll admit I was curious to finally meet the person who stole my Helm from under my very nose during the war. Quite the feat you performed there. Not even this one could come close to it."

Hermes tsk-ed and rolled his eyes at Hades' jab, while Loki awkwardly shuffled in place at the praise. She should've known Hades would still remember she'd taken his Helm of Invisibility. She'd only just made it out of the Underworld before he sent the harpies after her, which she'd only evaded thanks to her illusions.

"Yes, um... apologies for that," she mumbled.

"Hm, spoils of war, I suppose. My Helm was returned eventually, but I'd advise you not to try anything like that again."

The warning lingered between them. Loki swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat and recalled what she was supposed to do next. "Kyrios Hades," she said, "I beseech you to accept a token of gratitude for your kind hospitality... and your forgiveness."

She reached within her satchel, only to freeze at the sudden low growl above her. Hot breath coming from three directions prickled her skin, shadows further darkening the ground she stood on. Slowly, Loki moved her hand around until she found what she was looking for. With her head still held low, she pulled out the three honeyed cakes she'd asked Rúna to bake for her the day before and raised them to Hades' guard dog. 
Cerberus' middle head sniffed the cakes as the other two kept their attention on Loki. With an abrupt bark, the giant above vanished and a three-headed dog the size of an adult wolf excitedly wagged its tail at Loki. She knelt at the animal's level, offering the cakes to each head. They greedily ate from her hand, licking her palm and fingers clean with their warm tongues. 

Loki gave an affectionate scratch behind each head's ears before Cerberus returned to stand aside its master. She rummaged through her satchel again and retrieved the carefully bound leather book she'd brought back from her cache in Vanaheim. Hermes gasped behind her when he saw it, and Loki shot him a quick glare, warning him to keep his mouth shut.
This particular collection had once been her most prized possession, mainly because Hermes had helped in its assemblage, gifting them to her when she'd been 'especially good'. Yet after what he'd done, her adoration for it had wavered. She hadn't even recalled she'd left it on Vanaheim. As the laws of xenia spoke of a gift of stories, specifically, Loki couldn't think of anything better to part with. 

"The Poetic Edda," she said, "as near to completion as it can be. I've long searched for the final missing pieces, but unfortunately, they remain lost."

Hades' black eyes sparkled as Loki handed him the gift. "Regardless of it being complete, this truly is a magnificent addition to our library's collection, Lady Loki. My wife will greatly appreciate it, as will the children."